Vertonghen is aware of the aerial threat his 22-year-old international pal will pose as Villa attempt to recover from Sunday’s 8-0 thrashing at Chelsea.

Vertonghen, 25, said: "Benteke is very good in the air and he can score. He will be a very tough player to play against.

"I know him quite well from Belgium, in the league and playing for the national team. It doesn’t surprise me that he has done well at Villa. He now feels the confidence of the team and the crowd and manager.

"In the last two three games for the national team, he was very, very good. I think that Aston Villa made the right choice to sign him."